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Youth learn from the best at UWP Media Day

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PLATTEVILLE - The media plays a big role in today's society, and each year high school students from around the region converge on the University of Wisconsin-Platteville campus to learn all about the media from the best in the business.

About 60 high school students came to UWP Oct. 15 to participate in the annual media day workshop. Hands-on sessions throughout the day allowed students the opportunity to learn elements of news reporting, photography and yearbook development from a variety of industry professionals.

Wisconsin State Journal news editor Jay Eastlick told high school students to "think big" when it comes to writing stories at their own high school newspapers.

"You need to tap every possible source of good story ideas," Eastlick told a crowd of high school students. "And always keep the readers first."

This was the third time Eastlick has come as a speaker to UWP's media day.

"I enjoy it. It's something I look forward to every year," he said. It is difficult to relate what is done at the Wisconsin State Journal to a high school publication, but Eastlick said the important thing was to encourage high school students.

UWP business professor Bernie Harris told students how they could maximize advertising sales for their yearbook.

"There's a sense of community with the yearbook," Harris said. "But know your prospect. There's no such thing as an easy sell."

UWP communication technologies instructor Christine Holtz taught high school students basic photography techniques and led students on a campus-wide photo shoot with digital cameras. In a session with fellow instructor Sarah Arkins, students learned how to touch up those digital photos using computer software.

Six high schools participated in this year's media day, which has been held on the UWP campus since the early 1980s.

"Although the turnout was smaller than the last two years we had an enthusiastic group of students. I received quite a bit of positive feedback on the presentations," communication technologies professor and event organizer Arthur Ranney said.